A United States Central District Court in California has again, postponed the sentencing of alleged fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, for the fourth time.
According to the notice from the US authorities, the trial Judge, Otis Wright, has fixed 7th November, 2022, as the date to sentence Hushpuppi.
“Counsel are notified, the sentencing is continued to November 7, 2022 at 11:30 am as to defendant Ramon Olorunwa Abbas,” the court’s announcement shifting the sentencing read.
The sentence hearing was initially moved by Judge Wright from 14th February to 11th July, 2022 before shifting it to 21st September and now 7th November.
Recall that the 39-year-old Hushpuppi, was arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) in June 2020 alongside 12 others over allegations bordering on hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, identity theft and was extradited to the US for prosecution.
Hushpuppi, in July 2021, agreed to plead guilty to the multi-million-dollar fraud charges slammed against him by the American government.
He has been in prison since his arrest in Dubai and rendition to the US in June 2020.
His extradition to the United States had followed after the UAE police detailed his arrest in a special operation dubbed ‘Fox Hunt 2’, where he was accused of defrauding 1.9 million victims to the tune of N168billion.
In July 2021, he agreed to plead guilty to the multi-million-dollar fraud charges slammed against him by the American government.
Hushpuppi thereafter entered into a plea bargain agreement with the U.S. government in July 2021, in the hope of getting a lighter punishment.
Despite pleading guilty, Mr Abbas will not be freed from paying restitution.
“Defendant understands that the defendant will be required to pay full restitution to the victim(s) of the offence to which the defendant is pleading guilty.
“Defendant agrees that, in return for the USAO’s compliance with its obligations under this agreement, the court may order restitution to persons other than the victim(s) of the offences to which defendant is pleading guilty and in amounts greater than those alleged in the count to which defendant is pleading guilty,”.
Not being an American citizen, he will be deported after completing his jail term and paying up the amount to be restituted.
The maximum penalty for the offence which Abbas hopes will be reduced at his sentencing include: “20 years’ imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence, whichever is greatest; and a mandatory special assessment of $100.”
